DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING CELL SAMPLES

• US 20090269800A1
• Filed: 04/29/2009
• Published: 10/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nodality Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nodality Inc.
• Inventors: COVEY, Todd, Nolan, Garry P.
• Application Number:
  US12/432,239
• Publication Number:
  US 20090269800A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 435/29
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1095 for supplying the samples to flow-through analysers for a specific analyser see relevant groups, e.g. under G01N15/00, G01N21/00, G01N27/00, G01N30/00, H01J49/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/1097 characterised by the valves valves in general F16K

Abstract

A cell analysis device and method is described which enables the user to efficiently treat cells in a sample. The cells can be treated with reagents at a time and place proximate to collection and may be handled in a automated or semi automated fashion.

Claims

1. A system for preparing cells for analysis, comprising:

at least one cartridge containing a plurality of chambers;

a manifold fluidly connected to the said plurality of chambers;

at least one fluid line to deliver a plurality of cells to the chambers; and

a plurality of reagents fluidly connected to the said plurality of chambers

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reagents comprises at least one, a series, or combination of modulators and is present in the plurality of chambers prior to addition of the plurality of cells.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reagents comprises a modulator and is present in the plurality of chambers after addition of the plurality of cells.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the cells are present in whole blood.

8. The system of claim 6, wherein a vent is added to the chamber holding the whole blood.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the volume of the chamber is between 0.1 microliters and 10 mls.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the chambers are closed end tubes that are held together in a framework.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the chambers are in a microtiter plate.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the chambers are more than one cartridge.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the chambers are in a lab-on-a-chip and a device is used to concentrate cells of interest.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the chambers are in a microtiter plate having 94, 384 or 1536 wells.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein a chamber has an identifier, such as a bar code, a fluorescent color coding bar code, an RFID, or DNA bar code.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein a filter is added between the whole blood and chamber.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the modulator is added with an attachable device which is fluidly connected to a plurality of chambers.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the attachable device can be designed to customize which modulator is inserted into which chamber.

24. A computer system for controlling fluid flow into a number of chambers in the system of claim 1, comprising software stored on storage medium.

2. A method for preparing cells for flow cytometery analysis, comprising:

obtaining a plurality of cells from an individual;

directing the said plurality of cells through a manifold into a plurality of chambers;

contacting the cells in the said chambers with one or more reagents; and

analyzing the cells.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising contacting the cells with a stain in the chambers and detecting a stain on the plurality of cells.

7. The method of claim 2, further comprising drawing the cells into the chambers using a vacuum.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the volume of the chamber is between 0.1 microliters and 10 mls.

17. The method of claim 2 wherein the chambers are agitated using bubbles or physical agitation.

21. A cartridge for preparing cells for flow cytometry, comprising:

a housing including a plurality of fluid chambers constructed and arranged to retain fluid containing cells, said housing including a bar code;

the housing is fluidly connected to a source containing cells;

a manifold fluidly connected to the housing;

cell stimulating reagents; and

time release cell fixing buffers.

22. A cell analysis system comprising:

a fluid container comprising a plurality of cells;

a plurality of chambers;

a fluid delivery line to connect the fluid container to the plurality of chambers;

an automated device for programmed delivery of liquid or solid reagents to the plurality of chambers; and

a flow cytometer.

23. A cell analysis system of claim 22, wherein an automated syringe is used to deliver reagents.